Pinoy Solutions to Corruption (Part 1)

Last Updated (Thursday, 16 June 2011 17:58) Written by Leonor Magtolis Briones Thursday, 16 June 2011 17:56

Whenever governance in the Philippines is talked about, the issue of corruption immediately crops up. It is practically considered as “endemic” to the country.

During the Spanish Era, Jose Rizal described the corruption pervading Philippine society as a “social cancer.” Media calls it  “garap and korarap.”  In the language of bureaucrats, it is referred to as “S.O.P.” (meaning standard operating procedures),  implying that corruption is a built-in feature of government operations. It was also described as “for the boys” but in these days of gender equality I refer to it as “for the boys and girls.”  Academics and students of corruption  clinically refer to it as “negative or deviant bureaucratic behavior.” However, cynics counter that it is corruption which is normal and honesty which is deviant.

Corruption persists in spite of efforts  to minimize and control this social cancer. In spite of the promises of all  administrations  to eradicate it, high  levels of corrupt activity continue to proliferate. Each time a new president assumes office, he or she makes a big show of fighting corruption, only to lose effectiveness while   public interest and support eventually peter out.

For decades, multilateral institutions and bilateral donors  have expended hundreds of millions  of dollars in anti corruption projects. Ironically, corruption has not abated even as they pour more resources to help clean up the country.  This sharp rise was noted especially since 2005.

Can there be a Pinoy solution to corruption?

You can access the rest of Prof. Briones’ column in Interaksyon TV 5 here.